Pneumatic swab



N. H. RICKER PNEUMATIC SWAB Dec. 15, 1931.

Filed 001;. 27, 1930 NORMA/V 'ENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15,1931

UNITED STATES IPATENT; OFFICE NORMAN RIOKER, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO HUGHES TOOL COMPANY, OF

HOUSTON, TEXAS,

A. CORPORATION OF TEXAS PNEUMATIC SWAB Application filed October 27, 1930. Serial No. 491,341.

My invention relates to pneumatic swabs and pertains particularly to the structure of the standing valve controlling the inlet of liquid to the lower end of the veduction tube.

It is an object of the invention to provide a standing valve which will allow the entrance of liquid to the eduction tube While the pressure fluid is being discharged into the lower end of said tube.

I desire to provide a standing valve which may be secured in position to provide an injector through the action of the pressure fluid, and thus assist in raising the head of liquid in the eduction tube above that of the liquid in the well.

My valve is constructed to close to prevent back pressure of the pressure fluid into the well but to open when the back pressure is released to allow the liquid to enter freely into the eduction tube. This invention is a modification of that disclosed in my co-pending application No. 488,565, filed October 14, 1930.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sec tion of the upper end of the well swab ap paratus and Fig. 2 is a similar view of the lower end thereof, with my invention embodied therein.

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sections taken on the planes 33 and 4-4 respectively, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the-lower end of the swab plunger.

An apparatus upon which my invention may be used is shown in the drawings. There is an outer casing 1 connected at its upper end to a casing head 2 formed with an outlet 3 for the liquid being pumped. There may also be a gas relief pipe 4 in the head and a gas inlet pipe 5. At the upper end is a bushing 6 having an elongated bull plug or cap 7 therein to close the upper end of the casin and house the upper end of the eduction tu e.

Within the casing is an air inlet pipe 8 and a smaller concentric eduction tube 9. The pipe 8 is suspended at its upper end from a block 10 supported in the casing head and reduced at its upper end with the extension 11 for connection I 12 closed at its upper end' by the shock absorbing cap 13. Slotted outlets 14 in the port 11 allow an exit for the liquid and air. The block 10 has a peripheral channel 15 connected with the gas and air inlet 5, and has passages 16 to the interior space 17 for the entrance of pressure fluid.

The lower end of the pipe 8 has a foot member 18 formed on its interior with a shoulder 19 to support the lower end of the eduction tube 9, and a tapered seat 20 below said shoulder leading to the inlet passage 21. The lower end of: the foot member has a strainer 22 secured thereto, if desired.

The eduction tube has a seat 23 at its upper end within the block 10 and has a head at its lower end fitting within the pipe 8. Said head has longitudinal passages 23 allowing flow of gaseous fluid to the interior of the tube at 24. There is a plurality of such air inlets as seen in Fig. 4. Spaced between the air inlets are upward passages 25 for liquid leading to inlet ports 26 to the interior.

Within the eduction tube is a standing valve housing'27 connected at its lower end to the plug 28 formed to fit the seat 20 and support the housing. It has an interior valve seat 29 to receive the ball valve 30. The interior of the housing is divided into an upper chamber 31 and a lower valve chamber 32 by a transverse partition 33. The valve chamber 32 has an outlet 34 connecting with the liquid conducting passage 25. There is an air inlet port 35 from the passage 23 to the chamber 31. The upper part of the chamber 31 tapers to a plunger seat 36 above which it widens out at 37 to form a venturi passage .for the pressure fluid. The liquid from the passage 25 may enter into the chamber 37 through the passage or passages 38.

The standing valve housing 27 is held in position by means of a locking collar 39 having its lower edge flared outwardly to wedge about the upper tapered end of the hous- Ihe swab plunger 40 fits within the eduction tube. Its lower end is reduced in diameter to form a support for the valve member 41 which is normally held from its seat 42 by gravity. A stem 43 on the valve fits within a guide member 44 at thelower end of the plunger. Said guide has a tapered said lower chamber into said Venturi passage end to fit the seat 36 and its lower extremity above the plunger sea is closed by a rounded late 46 as seen in 3. A device of the character described in- Fig. 5. In the sides of t e ide above the eluding an eduction tube, a valve chamber at plate 46 are inlet'openings e for liquid bethe lower end thereof, a pressure fluid inlet low the valve. chamber above said valve chamber, a Ven- In operation, the swab plunger will start turi passage from said fluid inlet chamber,

up from its position as seen in Fig. 2, by the a plunger adapted to seat in said passage,

entrance of pressure fluid by way of the pasand means to conduct liquid from said valve 10 sage 17, the port 24, to the chamber 31, closchamber to the upper end of said passage. ing the valve 41 and lifting the plunger from 4. A device of the character described inits seat. The passage of pressure fluid out eluding an eduction tube, a valve chamber the lower end of the apparatus will be pretherein, a valve in said chamber, a lunger vented by valve 30. When the load of liquid in said tube, an inlet for pressure uid be- 15 above the plunger is discharged through the low said plunger, a by-pass for liquid from outlets 14 and 3, the plunger will be stopped said lower chamber to the lowenend of said by the fluid compressed in the extension 12, plunger, and-an injector for movlng said liqand the valve will be forced open. The air uid upwardly in said tube. will exhaust below the plunger, and the In testlmony whereof, I hereunto aflix my 30 plunger will start on its drop to the bottom. signature, this the 22nd day of October A. D.,

hen the exhaust of air through the out- 1930.

let 3 takesplace, the pressure above valve 30 NORMAN H. RICKER.

will be released, and the valve may open to allow inlet of oil or other liquid. Also the air entering through the Venturi passage 37 will act as an inJector drawing the liquid in rapidly. Said liquid will rise to a level above that of the liquid in the well, and when t e plunger approaches its seat it will pass through this liquid and will be slowed down to prevent its striking the seat 36 with force.

en the seat has been reached, the pressure fluid will soon act to again close the valve above the plunger to a level higher than that in the well, and I will be able to operate the device economically in wells where the head of liquid is not great.

My standing valve may be withdrawn from the well by a fishing tool, first withdrawing the locking collar 39, and then engaging and at I claim as new is: 1. A pneumatic swab device including an eduction tube, a standing valve housing at the lower end of said tube, upper and lower chambers in said housing, an upwardly opening valve controlling an inlet opening to said lower chamber, a pressure fluid'inlet to said upper chamber, a Venturi passage from u said upper chamber, a plunger adapted to close said passage, and a by-pass for liquid from said lower chamber to said plunger.

2. A pneumatic swab device including an eduction tube, a standing valve housing at the lower end of said tube, upper and lower chambers in said housing, an upwardly opening valve controlling an inlet opening to said lower chamber, a pressure fluid inlet to said upper chamber, a Venturi passage upwardly rom said upper chamber, a plunger ada ted to seat in said passage and a by-pass rom 139 withdrawing the valve housing ltself. 110. 

